Improvement in metallic cotton-bands



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

RICHARD LEVIS, OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA.

HWPROVEM ENT lN METALLIC COTTON-BANDS.

Specilication forming part of Letters Patent No. 23,4174, dated April 5, 1539.

To all whom if; may concern,.-

Beit known that I, RICHARD LEwIs, of Charleston, district of Charleston, State of South Carolina, have invented a new and useful Metallic Cotton-Band, intended to be used chieiiy for cotton, but may be used for other baled goods; and I do hereby declare that the following is a i'ull, clear, and exact description of the construct-ion and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this speciiication.

Figure l is a perspective view of that portion of the band which is united by the clasp or device, and in which theinvention consists7 as secured on the bale. Fig. 2 isa longitudinal sectional view of the above. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of plates A and B previous to being united. Fig. LlE is a sectional view of the band and clasp as being adjusted to the bale.

I construct my clasp of the best quality of strap-iron scant one-eighth of an inch in thickness. The plates or parts composing the clasp may be struck into form by any ot' the processes for punching and swaging iron, suitable dies being used for the purpose. The transverse slot c in plate A should have an opening in the plates, longitudinal direction, equal to twice the plates thickness, and transversely an eighth of an inch larger than the band to be used. vThat portion E E of plate A that is struck up is divided in the center; for the purpose oi' allowing the band to be drawn through readily and in a more direct line, the center division should extend beyond the side division, that they may open in an oblique direction7 for the purpose above speciv fied. Plate B should have the form shown in Fig. 3. The slot d should have an opening pf a quarter of an inch in the plates,longitudinal direction, and transversely the same as plate A. The small shoulder or legs g g on B should be so arranged that in its connection with A, when it is drawn down for the purpose of inserting the band, it may be stopped when the slots c d are opposite.

To unite the clasp and band the legs g g or small shoulders of B are passed through the opening f in A by constructing them. They are afterward expanded to secure the plates together. The end of the band is then secured to plate B, as shown in Fig. 3, when it is ready. for use.

To operate the band, it having encircled the bale,plateB is drawn down. The slots c d in both plates being opposite,the band is passed through them until the reactionary force of the goods acts upon the plates, when they catch and hold every inch of the band that is drawn through them by the hinge and slide action of plate B, in combination with Vthe slots c d. Plate B being actuated bythe reac` tionary force in tightening the band, its tend ency is by the hinge or lever action to press down the band on plate A, `causing the band to bind on the edges of slot c, thereby causing sufficient friction and bending of the band to prevent slipping. The divided projections E E are not essential to the catching or selfi'astening feature, and unless well spread apart will interfere with it by the sliding action of plate B. The band. is drawn against the projections E E by the expansive force of the cotton when released from the press, plate B being stopped by shoulders h 7L. The projections E Il are then struck down with a hammer, carrying the end of the band with them and firmly securing plate B to plate A both on its upper and under side.

To reuse the band at the shippers press a suitable wedge is driven under the divided portion of A, and it is set up. This is done previous to cutting the lband from the bale. The band should be out close to the clasp at its adjustable end. Thepiece of band being removed from the slots, it is ready i'or reuse, and is operated in the manner above described.

The object sought for in this band is the adjustable and self catching and fastening feature, whereby the shortest possible space of time is required under the shippers press.

I am aware that many good devices have been furnished to the planter, and for packing cot ton on the plantation are allthat is necessary; but at the shippers press they are thrown aside and the banding replaced with rope, from its not beingadj ustable or requiring too much of the presss time in manipulating. All that is required in this band is to pass it around the bale, through the slots, and draw it taut under the press. It makes a perfect fastening, and is not liable to unlock when the expansive force of the cotton is removed by united, and operated in the manner substanstowing 'with the jack. Vhen operated, is as tyially as above described, and for the purpose firmly locked off the bale as on it. set forth.

I elaimp RICHARD LEWIS. In the above device, plates A B, with slots Vitnesses:

c d, project-ions E E, openingf, legs gg, and WM. AIKEN,

shoulders hh, in combination, constructed, OHARLEs Lovn. 

